Novak Djokovic poses with the Gentlemen’s Singles Trophy following his victory in the Gentlemen’s Singles Final match against Roger Federer.

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It looked like it was over. After grinding out a two to one set advantage, Novak Djokovic had championship point on his serve in the fourth. His mental fortitude used to be beyond reproach, but after a recent string of Grand Slam meltdowns, there was cause for worry when he lost the point, lost the set, and allowed Roger Federer back into the match. But he managed to break Federer for the championship, and sounded nothing less than exhausted and appreciative during his acceptance speech, in which he dedicated the win to his unborn child and his first coach, Jelena Gencic, who died last year. He’s a great champion, and with the win retakes the #1 ranking from Rafael Nadal.

For Federer, there’s certainly disappointment on his end. He had a break point opportunity in the fifth set, and very well could’ve become an eight-time Wimbledon champion. At the same time, it makes no sense that at 32, he’s taking one of the best players of all-time in his prime to five sets. He moved athletically, decisively, and just barely lost. If nothing else, we might be past the point where we’re stuck wondering if this is it for him

Djokovic holds his first service game with a passing shot at the net. Federer’s backhand looks a little jumpy, but his first two service points produce a serve that Djokovic can’t cleanly return, and a rocket shot that forces a forehand to sail way out.

Despite a double fault just now, Federer’s serving extremely well—he continues to pull Djokovic way out, which even someone as speedy and quick-reflexed as Nole can’t do much about. So far, it looks even.

Wimbledon’s Royal Box is today playing host to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, David and Victoria Beckham, Olympic cycling champion Chris Hoy, tennis legends Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall, Oracle’s CEO Larry Ellison as well as actors including Bradley Cooper and Samuel L. Jackson.

Britain’s Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, watch the men’s singles final between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon

We’re still on serve, but things are moving pretty fast. Only one deuce point, and not a single break point. Right now the theme seems to be whether Nole can effectively return when Fed goes to the net—there’s time he’s frozen Fed with a passing shot, and times when he’s been wholly out of place.

Djokovic striking the ball much more cleanly than Federer. Federer’s serve keeping this match a draw. Can’t always count on early returns with Djokovic, he has developed a habit of starting strong and then wandering. But he’s playing better right now.

Djokovic wins the day’s longest and toughest rally, made tougher by all the laughter in the crowd. Tennis fans here get a kick of players hitting slice shots. Have to say, I don’t understand it! Not like it’s a junkball.

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Djokovic wins the day's longest and toughest rally, made tougher by all the laughter in the crowd. T

Federer wins a fantastic rally… and then shanks a swinging volley that would have ended the game. Then a point to die for, with Federer hitting all over and Djokovic playing clay-court defense on grass, slides and all. Advantage Federer.

I don’t have any numbers in front of me, but it feels like Nole’s backhand has been finding the net more often than not. We’re back on serve in the tiebreak as Federer sends a slice wide—a bad miss, considering he had plenty of space down the line.

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General view of centre court as Roger Federer serves during the Gentlemen’s Singles Final match against Novak Djokovic.

Federer takes the first set as Djokovic once again finds the net, this time on his own serve. This is extremely even tennis separated by the smallest of margins—Djokovic was in control, until he suddenly wasn’t.

Maybe I spoke too soon: The match has its first break point, which is completely squandered when Nole sends a second serve waaaaaaay wide. “That’s just one of those things you’ve got to hit there,” says an incredulous McEnroe.

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U.S. actor Samuel L. Jackson, right, talks with David and Victoria Beckham in the Royal Box prior to the mens singles final between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Another break point opportunity after Nole hits a passing shot at the net. This time, it’s bad luck as Nole holds firm, but sees a backhand clip the net and sail wide. After that one, he looks to the skies for help… then falls down on the next point, giving Federer advantage. So much for that one!

Across the grounds, cheers erupt for American Noah Rubin, who won the Boys’ Singles Final against compatriot Stefan Kozlov 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. Back in 1998, Roger Federer won the same title in straight sets over Georgia’s Irakli Labadze.

Djokovic is missing a lot of first serves, and some of them very badly. The difference is that he’s having much more success when Federer goes to the net. He finally consolidates the break when Federer sends a forehand to the net.

Jeremy, what are they saying about Djokovic’s leg/movement on the TV broadcast? I think he looks fine, have to say. Not being tentative. Serve looked OK that last game. If there’s something wrong with his leg, his serve would probably suffer.

I’d say advantage Djokovic, though slightly. He has played better in both sets. That second set will give him confidence. He’s playing with a lot less risk and he’s in most points despite that. That’s usually a winning combination.

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Novak Djokovic returns the ball to Roger Federer during their men’s singles final match.

Federer takes the first point of Nole’s service with a tricky passing shot that just clips the line, then doesn’t challenge the rest of the game. Neither player bending much right now; it’s still very much a match of inches.

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Roger Federer during the Gentlemen’s Singles Final match against Novak Djokovic.

Federer’s streak of aces is stopped at five when Nole finally manages to get a return… only to be pulled way out to the side, allowing Federer to hit an easy winner. He’s held at love in four of his last six service games.

It looks like Fed closes out the game with an ace that turns out to be wide. Then it looks like Nole hits one out, but it isn’t called… which allows him to win the point. Fed sends a backhand into the net and Nole has the first break point opportunity of the set, which is squandered when he shanks the return.

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Novak Djokovic celebrates during the Gentlemen’s Singles Final match against Roger Federer.

Fed saves the first break point when Djokovic sends one long on the run. Saves the second with an overhead smash. Saves the third when he moves to the net and Nole’s forehand down the line is wide. He’s still got it!

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Roger Federer plays a volley low down at the net during the Gentlemen’s Singles Final match against Novak Djokovic.

Nole creates another break point opportunity by pulling Fed out with a forehand, then tapping in a winner at the net. After a medium rally, Federer’s inside-out forehand is long, giving Djokovic the break.

If everything holds, would be a tough loss for Federer. He’s playing well, but he’s making a few mistakes… where Nole is making none. He’s a few points away from a two to one set advantage—though you could easily say the opposite, that Nole is a few points away from a straight set win.

Djokovic is serving now for his second Wimbledon title, his seventh major and the No. 1 ranking. If he holds this service game, he’ll end a three-match losing streak in Grand Slam finals (the last being Andy Murray).

Federer hits a forehand into the net, then watches Nole do the same. He follows it with an ace, along with a shallow ground stroke that Djokovic sends out… which happens a point later, giving him the set. Un. Real. Onto the fifth set!

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Roger Federer reacts to a point against Novak Djokovic during their men’s singles final match.

The last Wimbledon final to stretch five sets was in 2009, when Federer defeated Andy Roddick 16-14 in the final set to win his 15th major. Roddick’s watching this match and tweeting: “This is just awesome to watch….Two legends”.

It’s moving too fast to chronicle, but Federer is everywhere right now—and holds at love with an ace. Djokovic can’t quite believe what’s happening, from the looks on his face. They’ve each won 167 points—it’s also been a half hour since championship point.

You feel for Federer, who had a break point opportunity in the fifth set and lost the match on an error. But wow, what a match. Nole wins his second Wimbledon title, and celebrates by embracing his entourage in the stands. Lots of forlorn shots of Federer, who might’ve been an eight-time Wimbledon champion with just a few breaks here or there. Still, he climbed back into the match when all was lost, and surely showed why he’s regarded as the greatest. Nearly winning a Wimbledon at 32 against one of the best players of all-time in his prime? Unreal.

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